Open thread: The second debate

posted at 8:38 pm on October 16, 2012 by Allahpundit

9 p.m. ET across the dial, don’t miss your chance to watch a man who “really doesn’t like people” try to relate to average voters. According to Team Mitt, all they need tonight is a tie:

“He does not need to take home the same performance” as in the first debate in Denver on Oct. 3, in which Romney was widely considered the dominant debater, the aide, who is involved in the debate preparation, told National Journal on Tuesday. He said that the Romney team is preparing for a fierce attack from Obama on all fronts even though a town-hall format generally requires candidates to address questioners from the audience more than they do each other.

“They can’t afford another debate where they don’t lash out,” said the aide, who would speak only on condition of anonymity about internal debate preparations. “So we’re ready for it: the ‘47 percent’ comment, Bain Capital, the Cayman Islands” tax shelters, all of which have been staples of the Obama ad campaign in recent months…

The Romney team doesn’t expect foreign policy to dominate this debate, but they also hope to raise fresh questions over the Sept. 11 death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Libya by focusing on what they consider a misstatement by Vice President Joe Biden in his Oct. 11 debate with Rep. Paul Ryan, the aide said.

Benghazi is one obvious line of attack. Another, I hope, is Mitt trying to pin Obama down on what exactly he intends to do with a second term. For all of the Democrats’ cutesy-poo gimmicks about Romney’s evasiveness, the incumbent’s vision for America over the next four years is conspicuously thin, much to the dismay of Democratic pollsters. As for O, he’s got two basic themes, each of them potentially problematic. One: He’ll dismiss Romney’s messaging at the first debate as evidence that he’s a flip-flopper, although that’ll undercut Team Obama’s months-long messaging about what a committed neo-Goldwater ideological fanatic Mitt supposedly is. Two: He’ll go after Romney on Bain and the “47 percent,” although if he’s too nasty about it he’ll risk leaving the sort of jackhole impression that Biden left after the VP debate. Biden could get away with that because he’s Biden, because he was playing to his base, and because ultimately no one really cares what happens at the VP debate. Obama, who’s been banking on a vanishing “likeability gap” with Romney to put him over the top, really can’t. There’s very little left of Hopenchange circa 2008 as it is; if he loses his above-the-fray Bambi image too, then there’s basically nothing.

Having said that, I think there’s virtually nothing O could do onstage tonight short of barfing on someone that’ll get the left to admit afterward that he did poorly. They desperately need him to have a good performance to remain viable, and thus the narrative will make it so tomorrow even if Obama doesn’t make it so tonight. His problem is that, even with that media cushion, it’s unlikely that Romney will falter, which is really what O needs to reverse the momentum here. The only thing I can think of that might potentially get hairy for Romney is if he’s put on the spot by a questioner who’s either extremely confrontational or somehow deeply sympathetic — a “YouTube moment,” in other words. Romney can handle himself against O, but the crux of the Dems’ message against him has always been that he’s some sort of enemy of the working man. If they get a moment like that tonight, of some audience member being accusatory with Romney, that could get traction. All depends upon how he handles it, of course.

Here’s the Hot Air/Townhall Twitter widget for live-tweeting. While we wait, revisit four of Obama’s emptiest campaign promises from the last townhall debate he did in 2008, as there are bound to be a few more tonight. And bear in mind that no matter how well he does, his campaign’s still facing one last jobs report before election day — and all signs point to something not so hope-y change-y. Exit quotation from Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg: “The danger for Obama is that Romney would become the candidate of change.”

UPDATE: Because probably few people who supported McCain in 2008 are undecided today, Gallup had a problem coming up with unbiased undecideds. Indeed, CNN admitted that almost all of the audience had voted for Obama in 2008.

Where on earth do theșe trolls keep coming from. I mean to come on this thread to just declare that you’re not voting for either candidate, what an utter idiocy. Why bother then communicate it, and who the heck cares anyways. Disgusting attention seeking mobys..

jimver on October 17, 2012 at 12:08 AM

I can’t stand Obama, but I want everybody to know here now and tonight that I’m not voting for Gary Johnson. I’m also not voting for Jill Stein.

Obama has dug himself an awful hole by acknowledging that he stated on 9/12 that the Benghazi was an act of terror. Let him explain why he then claimed for the next 2 weeks that it was not an act of terror.

Basilsbest on October 17, 2012 at 12:07 AM

So what’s this whole thing with romney not doing so well on Benghazi. I didn’t see the debate but I lurked here and from the comments it looked like he was scoring good points (well maybe with the exception orf one or two who said that he stammered a little) . I can’t see how he could have gotten Benghazi wrong.

jimver on October 17, 2012 at 12:13 AM

He didn’t. But hardly anyone seems to realize that Obama stating on 9/12 that it was a terrorist attack – as he knew it was even at that early stage is much more devastating since he then said for the next 2 weeks that it was due to a video. R pundits seem fixated on the fact Obama claimed the attack was due to a video when the fact he initially acknowledged it was an act of terror is even more devastating.

I think all this parsing over words in a garden looks bag and I don’t think Romney will bring it up again. In the focus group EVERYONE thought it was a bad idea for him to keep pressing Obama on it after Obama had already said he takes the blame and he’s grieved with the families. I think it’s tacky to keep bringing it up. Terror acts are going to happen no matter who the president is and if Americans forgave bush for lying about wmds mad getting thousands of Americans killed no some but the hyper partisan will keep trying to hit Obama with this after tonight.

He didn’t. But hardly anyone seems to realize that Obama stating on 9/12 that it was a terrorist attack – as he knew it was even at that early stage is much more devastating since he then said for the next 2 weeks that it was due to a video. R pundits seem fixated on the fact Obama claimed the attack was due to a video when the fact he initially acknowledged it was an act of terror is even more devastating.

Basilsbest on October 17, 2012 at 12:23 AM

This dominates the news cycle another 2 weeks as it drips and strips and especially with the 3 debate on foreign policy

WTH have you been smoking? you seriously think that we should ignore the cover up and the wrongful deaths of an American ambassador and his staff because it would be rude ? And believe me State knew there was a problem and they denied extra security that makes it a preventable death so um…no i wont let it go and no one should

I think all this parsing over words in a garden looks bag and I don’t think Romney will bring it up again. In the focus group EVERYONE thought it was a bad idea for him to keep pressing Obama on it after Obama had already said he takes the blame and he’s grieved with the families. I think it’s tacky to keep bringing it up. Terror acts are going to happen no matter who the president is and if Americans forgave bush for lying about wmds mad getting thousands of Americans killed no some but the hyper partisan will keep trying to hit Obama with this after tonight.

really tired of being on the losing side. Seriously, the Ds always seem to win the elections I’m around for. I’ve never gotten to experience a landslide. :( I was two in 1984 and my fav. election was 2004 which really upset me with the bad exit polls.

Illinidiva on October 16, 2012 at 11:16 PM

And, if you keep your whiney butt glued to the couch and don’t bother to vote….you won’t get to be a part of the landslide that is coming.
Then you can sit there and just keep sniveling that you “never got to experience a landslide”.
And someday, someone might actually feel sorry for you.
Get off your azz and vote! Or at least shut up and stay out of the way.

So what’s this whole thing with romney not doing so well on Benghazi. I didn’t see the debate but I lurked here and from the comments it looked like he was scoring good points (well maybe with the exception orf one or two who said that he stammered a little) . I can’t see how he could have gotten Benghazi wrong.

jimver on October 17, 2012 at 12:13 AM

He didn’t get it wrong. Moderator’s instant factcheck was wrong. Hannity played the rose garden speech and will discuss in detail tomorrow. Obama stepped right into a pile tonight.

OH! I forgot to pass this on. Something I heard on the John Bachelor show on WMAL radio right after the debate. The Intelligence Community is…for lack of a better word…PISSED at Obama. One of John’s regular guests said he is getting emails from an IC insider who is turning whistle blower and is going to start leaking “real time emails” that were going around AS the attack was happening. The guest said that these professionals…not political folks…but professional intelligence folks are ticked off that Obama tossed them under the bus the way he did and are not going to stand for it. That made me CHEER in the car on the way home. Bring on the last foreign policy debate!!!

Agreed. And I’m sure he didnt score any points with our border patrol agents either.
kcd on October 17, 2012 at 12:19 AM

Where did he score any points with any non-Obama loving group? Even when he was lying he came off as bitter and therefore untrustworthy. He continued his slide down the polls with this. I think the only difference between this debate and the last one is he hesitated to give his whoppers in the first and was left with nothing. I don’t see that even if you don’t know all the facts his forceful BS came off Presidential or convincing. Romney looked like a guy with nothing to hide and people want that who are trying to figure out what to do.

And, if you keep your whiney butt glued to the couch and don’t bother to vote….you won’t get to be a part of the landslide that is coming.
Then you can sit there and just keep sniveling that you “never got to experience a landslide”.
And someday, someone might actually feel sorry for you.
Get off your azz and vote! Or at least shut up and stay out of the way.

Solaratov on October 17, 2012 at 12:30 AM

Seconded.

And Illinidiva, on election night when Ohio is declared for Romney, we don’t want your wishy-washy butt here saying you changed your mind a third time.

I can’t stand Obama, but I want everybody to know here now and tonight that I’m not voting for Gary Johnson. I’m also not voting for Jill Stein.

Everybody bow in awe of my wonderfully intelligent and edgy post.

Gingotts on October 17, 2012 at 12:21 AM

Methinks he confuses HA with his pathetic FB page. that’s where usually people like this one go to get reassured by their echo chamber ‘friends’ that every banality or idiocy that they utter/post is a work of genius acnowledged in the form of a kazillion of likes :)…

That will be my most favorite one of them all. Crowly destroyed Obama on Benghazi, unintentionally.

Schadenfreude on October 17, 2012 at 12:20 AM

.
In the 3rd debate, if Super Mitt doesn’t ask Hopey if he has made any other secret deals like the one he offered Medvedev – then I don’t know.

These guys are leaving too much on the table. Mitt should NOT have backed down on the Susan Rice deal. Ocommie jumped when he heard that. And Candy wasn’t going to allow Mitt to go there……..Can’t have prezzie caught in a lie that big.

Here’s a link to the subsequent appearance of Obama on the View, where he was given the opportunity to refer to Benghazi as an “act of terror”, but pointedly demurs. Nice try, Skippy, but those schmoozy gal-pals of yours on the View have been your undoing.

I think all this parsing over words in a garden looks bag and I don’t think Romney will bring it up again. In the focus group EVERYONE thought it was a bad idea for him to keep pressing Obama on it after Obama had already said he takes the blame and he’s grieved with the families. I think it’s tacky to keep bringing it up. Terror acts are going to happen no matter who the president is and if Americans forgave bush for lying about wmds mad getting thousands of Americans killed no some but the hyper partisan will keep trying to hit Obama with this after tonight.

Politricks on October 17, 2012 at 12:25 AM

You are not big on sincerity, personal responsibility, or genuine conflict resolution, are you?

This babble shows that are a manipulative control freak who is trying to shut down the conversation, much like how a person who dishonestly says “sorry” for the sole purpose of trying to avoid having to face the consequences of a mistake he’s made. Take your unproductive BS somewhere else.

Some commentators on TV are saying that Romney missed a chance to nail Obama on Benghazi.
Maybe.
But debate #3 is on foreign policy, and Obama nicely set himself up to be destroyed on that issue.
He claims that he called it a terrorist attack?
OK, so why did he send his evil minions out to push the YouTube meme?
And why did he basically push the same meme himself at his disgraceful U.N. speech?

I think that Romney should call TOTUS to the witness stand in debate #3.

OH! I forgot to pass this on. Something I heard on the John Bachelor show on WMAL radio right after the debate. The Intelligence Community is…for lack of a better word…PISSED at Obama. One of John’s regular guests said he is getting emails from an IC insider who is turning whistle blower and is going to start leaking “real time emails” that were going around AS the attack was happening. The guest said that these professionals…not political folks…but professional intelligence folks are ticked off that Obama tossed them under the bus the way he did and are not going to stand for it. That made me CHEER in the car on the way home. Bring on the last foreign policy debate!!!

Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 12:32 AM

And Uncle Joe deserves some of the credit as well! Let’s not leave out Uncle Joe; he’ll get a complex. Can’t wait for these leaks–they will leave a major mark!

Here’s a link to the subsequent appearance of Obama on the View, where he was given the opportunity to refer to Benghazi as an “act of terror”, but pointedly demurs. Nice try, Skippy, but those schmoozy gal-pals of yours on the View have been your undoing.

I will repost this. Isn’t anybody suspicious that Crowley would jump in and declare Obama said it in his Rose Garden speech if the Obama campaign had not tipped her off to what his Libya answer would be ahead of time?

The only thing that makes sense is the Obama campaign fed her the answer AND explained to her what the proof of it was. Seriously to answer that fast you are telling me she wasn’t prepared for him to give the Rose Garden speech answer? Obama even shouted at her to repeat it like he knows she was tipped off.

So what’s this whole thing with romney not doing so well on Benghazi. I didn’t see the debate but I lurked here and from the comments it looked like he was scoring good points (well maybe with the exception orf one or two who said that he stammered a little) . I can’t see how he could have gotten Benghazi wrong.

jimver on October 17, 2012 at 12:13 AM

He didn’t get it wrong. Moderator’s instant factcheck was wrong. Hannity played the rose garden speech and will discuss in detail tomorrow. Obama stepped right into a pile tonight.

Jocundus on October 17, 2012 at 12:31 AM

Thanks, I was reading contradictory accounts and wanted to make sure. I guess with Candy Crowley we got two in one (pun intended) : moderator and factchecker /. coudn’t have gotten any luckier and more grateful :)

I was telling you guys what 35 people in a focus group on CNN agreed on. I know you all on this literate Obama’s guts but I don’t think a majority of America feels the same.

I don’t know what Obama did or didn’t say in the rose garden and that can debated by bloggers and pundits but I don’t think you’ll see Romney bring it to Obama again see it seems that a majority of people don’t feel that’s a fair line of attack.

The only thing that makes sense is the Obama campaign fed her the answer AND explained to her what the proof of it was. Seriously to answer that fast you are telling me she wasn’t prepared for him to give the Rose Garden speech answer? Obama even shouted at her to repeat it like he knows she was tipped off.

Conan on October 17, 2012 at 12:43 AM

I agree…she jumped on that AWFULLY fast. And not only that. She did the same thing on several of the responses I heard from Romney. She seemed always ready to jump in and cut Romney’s answers short when he was starting to make a GOOD point and tell him time to move on.

And Uncle Joe deserves some of the credit as well! Let’s not leave out Uncle Joe; he’ll get a complex. Can’t wait for these leaks–they will leave a major mark!

smellthecoffee on October 17, 2012 at 12:41 AM

Oh yes…can’t forget good ol’ Unca Joe! The whole Obama team is turning it into the IC’s fault. Rice did the same thing today, I heard, by saying something along the lines of “I was only repeating the assessment that was given to me by the IC.” I ask this: Where is Patreus??? Where is anyone from the CIA? There has been a substantial amount of silence from that department, that I believe is about to be blown wide open by whistle blowers.

He didn’t. But hardly anyone seems to realize that Obama stating on 9/12 that it was a terrorist attack – as he knew it was even at that early stage is much more devastating since he then said for the next 2 weeks that it was due to a video. R pundits seem fixated on the fact Obama claimed the attack was due to a video when the fact he initially acknowledged it was an act of terror is even more devastating.

Basilsbest on October 17, 2012 at 12:23 AM

Most damning. Up until tonight I wasn’t aware that he actually acknowledged it as a terrorist attack so early on. Then why pushing that video nonsense for days, doesn’t make an iota of sense, unless what they are covering up is way bigger and even more damning. He needs some serious splainin’ to do, and by this I do not mean more spinning. Good there’s another debate coming, eh :)

I accepted the reality of the first debate.
Seems none of you are able to do that here.
Your acting like desperate spin room interns.
Maybe tmrw will bring sober assessements at HA.

verbaluce on October 17, 2012 at 12:50 AM

Well, you’re not doing well with the second one, Buster. Your president lied. Politricks aka libfreeordie is just conceding the president lied. But he thinks it’s okay and is drawing moral equivalency. You? You think it’s okay to lie when 4 American were killed?

It was disgusting how the “moderator” jumped in to lie for O on Libya. But the unintended consequence is that this act will be discussed tomorrow and it keeps O’s Libya failure in the news.
thepoint on October 17, 2012 at 12:52 AM

A lot of people made the point after the VP debate that the aftertaste of these is what counts. What we are likely talking about in the next days is Crowley’s wrong defense of the Libya question which is the worst subject for Obama. Having to explain to people why Crowley is wrong is explaining what the lie Obama told is all over again.

OH! I forgot to pass this on. Something I heard on the John Bachelor show on WMAL radio right after the debate. The Intelligence Community is…for lack of a better word…PISSED at Obama. One of John’s regular guests said he is getting emails from an IC insider who is turning whistle blower and is going to start leaking “real time emails” that were going around AS the attack was happening. The guest said that these professionals…not political folks…but professional intelligence folks are ticked off that Obama tossed them under the bus the way he did and are not going to stand for it. That made me CHEER in the car on the way home. Bring on the last foreign policy debate!!!

Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 12:32 AM

The iCommunity will be out for blood….
Remember when Obama came into office they had investigations
into the CIA “water boarders”…..
They were trying to get the iCommunity to roll-over because
they made such a big deal about it during the 08 election….
I would not be surprised if the CIA whisks Obama off to go water board him…..

OH! I forgot to pass this on. Something I heard on the John Bachelor show on WMAL radio right after the debate. The Intelligence Community is…for lack of a better word…PISSED at Obama. One of John’s regular guests said he is getting emails from an IC insider who is turning whistle blower and is going to start leaking “real time emails” that were going around AS the attack was happening. The guest said that these professionals…not political folks…but professional intelligence folks are ticked off that Obama tossed them under the bus the way he did and are not going to stand for it. That made me CHEER in the car on the way home. Bring on the last foreign policy debate!!!

Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 12:32 AM

Our fellow poster Solaratov predicted this very thing just a few days ago! :)

I accepted the reality of the first debate.
Seems none of you are able to do that here.
Your acting like desperate spin room interns.
Maybe tmrw will bring sober assessements at HA.

verbaluce on October 17, 2012 at 12:50 AM

The reality of this debate is that it is basically a tie, which does not help Obama in the slightest. I think in its entirety it will hurt Obama, because on the KEY matters that appeal to “undecided” voters now, Romney came out on top in all categories (taxes, economy, deficits, etc). Democrats who are solidly behind Obama will say he won…Republicans who are solidly behind Romney will say that he won. That’s the type of debate it was. However, much like modern polls, it is the internals that make the difference. And like those same polls, Romney wins those categories. What say you?

Methinks he confuses HA with his pathetic FB page. that’s where usually people like this one go to get reassured by their echo chamber ‘friends’ that every banality or idiocy that they utter/post is a work of genius acnowledged in the form of a kazillion of likes :)…

jimver on October 17, 2012 at 12:38 AM

Aha, great idea! Facebook! Now there’s the answer! I’ma going to go up into the headlines and comment the same crap on every post up there. Then I’ll add up all the likes into a giant number that proves I’m a winner and e-mail it to all the guys in high school that called me a turd! That’ll show ’em.

I want an explanation how Crowley was so damn sure what Obama said in the Rose Garden if she wasn’t tipped off what explanation the President was going to give ahead of time. FACE FACTS FOLKS CROWLEY WAS TOLD WHAT OBAMA WAS GOING TO SAY IF ASKED ABOUT LIBYA!! She therefore was able to check the Rose Garden speech and declare instantly that he said it. There is no other explanation for her cocksure answer in instant! Or does she have all his speeches memorized in the last month? Please. She did it without hesitation. Check the tape. I just did.

Conan on October 17, 2012 at 12:19 AM

Conan has good instincts

Gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘well versed’ does it not?

The kindest explanation is, she didn’t want Libya to burden Obie during the debate, so she tried to close it out. Then there are other explanations which seem more realistic

The only thing that makes sense is the Obama campaign fed her the answer AND explained to her what the proof of it was. Seriously to answer that fast you are telling me she wasn’t prepared for him to give the Rose Garden speech answer? Obama even shouted at her to repeat it like he knows she was tipped off.

Conan on October 17, 2012 at 12:43 AM

I agree…she jumped on that AWFULLY fast. And not only that. She did the same thing on several of the responses I heard from Romney. She seemed always ready to jump in and cut Romney’s answers short when he was starting to make a GOOD point and tell him time to move on.

And Uncle Joe deserves some of the credit as well! Let’s not leave out Uncle Joe; he’ll get a complex. Can’t wait for these leaks–they will leave a major mark!

smellthecoffee on October 17, 2012 at 12:41 AM

Oh yes…can’t forget good ol’ Unca Joe! The whole Obama team is turning it into the IC’s fault. Rice did the same thing today, I heard, by saying something along the lines of “I was only repeating the assessment that was given to me by the IC.” I ask this: Where is Patreus??? Where is anyone from the CIA? There has been a substantial amount of silence from that department, that I believe is about to be blown wide open by whistle blowers.

Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 12:48 AM

Not that hard to explain really. That awkward “Please proceed Governor” may have been Obama’s “safe word” to Candy. It was basically his phone a friend and poll the audience moment rolled into one.

The reality of this debate is that it is basically a tie, which does not help Obama in the slightest. I think in its entirety it will hurt Obama, because on the KEY matters that appeal to “undecided” voters now, Romney came out on top in all categories (taxes, economy, deficits, etc). Democrats who are solidly behind Obama will say he won…Republicans who are solidly behind Romney will say that he won. That’s the type of debate it was. However, much like modern polls, it is the internals that make the difference. And like those same polls, Romney wins those categories. What say you?

Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 1:00 AM

Obama still lost voters after this debate….
Some Obama supporters will never give it up….they are lost, and would be
not matter who the President is.

Romney is getting voters that did not vote in the last election.
Romney’s strong and steady presence is what is drawing voters to Romney.

And like those same polls, Romney wins those categories. What say you?
Highlar on October 17, 2012 at 1:00 AM

I would also argue that the election is a referendum on Obama and each passing debate where Romney is not the monster in the Obama ads the more they fall away from him. I feel Romney just showing up and not being the monster the Obama ads have him being adds to his numbers. How does Obama add to his numbers outside of Romney being a monster? Well he tells us what he will do the next 4 years. He has punted on that and undecideds only wait so long for the incumbent to tell why he will change things in the next term. Obama didn’t do that he said stay the course and trust me and watching the focus groups people are saying he is not getting my vote promising more of the same. He lost both of those topics and thus he really lost the debate.

I was two in 1984 and my fav. election was 2004 which really upset me with the bad exit polls.

Illinidiva

How old are you now, 5?

Get off your azz and vote! Or at least shut up and stay out of the way.

Solaratov

Thankfully she lives in Illinois, so it doesn’t really matter anyway.

Hannity played the rose garden speech and will discuss in detail tomorrow. Obama stepped right into a pile tonight.

Jocundus

Not really. Most people who saw Candy come to his rescue will never hear the true story. And by the time the next debate rolls around, Libya will be old news. If she hadn’t stepped in, it could have been over for Obama. Candy did her job well, and may have kept Obama in the game for a little longer.

I predict that in years to come this debate will be referred to as a game changer but not because of anything either candidate did or said. It will be known as the day the old media put the final nail in their coffin. Crowley did tonight what Brent Bozell has been trying to do for years namely to expose MSM bias. So thanks for that Candy and as a token of my appreciation I will be sending you a lovely box of chocolates…on second thought best not as it appears that Ms Crowley has been getting enough from her liberal pals.

Obama still lost voters after this debate….
Some Obama supporters will never give it up….they are lost, and would be
not matter who the President is.

Romney is getting voters that did not vote in the last election.
Romney’s strong and steady presence is what is drawing voters to Romney.

Obama keeps pushing more people away.

redguy on October 17, 2012 at 1:07 AM

I agree, I think Romney will continue to pick up voters with his answers, particularly women voters. If Gallup and PPP are accurate on this issue, and other polls are showing (if not the same parity) a similar shift in the gender gap, Obama is toast. With Romney having a high, solid lead among men, Obama needs a massive female voter base to bail him out. And I just don’t think he’s going to get it now. Romney has demolished that gender gap, and Obama is scrambling to make it back up again.

I predict that in years to come this debate will be referred to as a game changer but not because of anything either candidate did or said. It will be known as the day the old media put the final nail in their coffin. Crowley did tonight what Brent Bozell has been trying to do for years namely to expose MSM bias. So thanks for that Candy and as a token of my appreciation I will be sending you a lovely box of chocolates…on second thought best not as it appears that Ms Crowley has been getting enough from her liberal pals.

neyney on October 17, 2012 at 1:12 AM

That was Candy Crowley? I could have sworn that was John Goodman in drag.

I would also argue that the election is a referendum on Obama and each passing debate where Romney is not the monster in the Obama ads the more they fall away from him. I feel Romney just showing up and not being the monster the Obama ads have him being adds to his numbers. How does Obama add to his numbers outside of Romney being a monster? Well he tells us what he will do the next 4 years. He has punted on that and undecideds only wait so long for the incumbent to tell why he will change things in the next term. Obama didn’t do that he said stay the course and trust me and watching the focus groups people are saying he is not getting my vote promising more of the same. He lost both of those topics and thus he really lost the debate.

Conan on October 17, 2012 at 1:07 AM

I completely agree here, and especially with the highlighted part. This really was Obama’s last big national chance to say what he is going to do in a second term…and he utterly failed to do so. Since the last debate leaves the economy in the dust, he has no more chances outside of his own campaign rallies to push any kind of an economic message. He has failed to pass that test via independents…and he has lost the election because of it. Romney has shown plans…Obama has shown more “hope and change”…and it has lost all the magic that it used to contain.